Microsoft Launches Windows 365 Link, $349 Mini PC That Streams Windows From The Cloud
The Windows 365 Link is a cloud-based PC specifically designed for enterprise customers prioritizing security.
While the world has been raving about Apple’s new Mac Mini with the M4 chip, many wondered if Windows could offer a similar mini PC. Well, Microsoft has indeed unveiled its own mini PC, called the Windows 365 Link, at Microsoft Ignite. Priced at $349, it stands in stark contrast to the Mac Mini.
The Windows 365 Link is a cloud-based PC specifically designed for enterprise customers prioritizing security. It’s a compact, fan-less device that runs a simplified version of Windows 11, allowing users to stream Windows 11 from the Microsoft Azure cloud.
The idea behind the Windows 365 Link is to create a user-friendly, cloud-based PC that can easily connect to peripherals and monitors, similar to ChromeOS devices in the enterprise and education markets. Microsoft envisions this PC as the ideal platform for its upcoming Windows 365 service, where the software giant will offer its operating system as a subscription-based service.
This approach allows businesses to transition employees to virtual machines hosted in the cloud, ensuring secure access to multiple devices.
In a blog post on the Windows blog, Microsoft expressed excitement about the Windows 365 Link, stating, “Today, we are thrilled to announce Windows 365 Link – the simple, secure, and purpose-built device for Windows 365. Windows 365 Link is now in preview and will become generally available for purchase in select markets starting April 2025. It enables desk-based users to securely work on a familiar Windows desktop in the Microsoft Cloud with responsive, high-fidelity experiences.”
The Windows 365 Link boasts robust specifications, including dual 4K monitors, four USB ports, an audio port, an Ethernet port, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3. It can boot within seconds and offers local processing capabilities for video conferencing solutions like Microsoft Teams and WebEx by Cisco.
Additionally, the Windows 365 Link can be managed using Microsoft Intune, similar to other PCs, and runs a lightweight Windows-based OS with minimal configuration requirements.
With security as its core principle, this device doesn’t store any data or applications locally, and employees lack administrative privileges. All corporate data is securely stored within the Microsoft Cloud. Default security baseline policies are enabled, and security features cannot be disabled.
Login is straightforward and secure, utilising password-less authentication through Microsoft Entra ID and the Microsoft Authenticator app, or even USB keys.
While Microsoft hasn’t disclosed the exact specifications of this hardware, it is powered by an undisclosed Intel processor, equipped with 8GB of RAM and 64GB of onboard storage. However, these specifications are inconsequential as users will load virtual machines from the cloud, which could potentially handle server-class workloads or even surpass them. Two of the USB A ports support 3.2 speeds, while there’s also a Type C port that offers the same speed. Additionally, both DisplayPort and HDMI support are available.
This device is an ideal solution for enterprises as a hot desk PC that can be used by multiple users. All users need to do is log in to connect to their own cloud PC, similar to logging in to their Microsoft, Google, or Amazon account from any device.
It’s worth noting that Microsoft isn’t the first or most affordable player in this category. HP, Dell, and Lenovo already offer similar devices at prices below $349, but these are client PCs. However, Windows 365 will have more Link devices, as clarified by Pavan Davaluri, Microsoft’s head of Windows and Surface hardware.
This device will also be considered one of Microsoft’s CoPilot Plus devices, a brand that previously existed only for laptops. Since Microsoft can load virtual machines with superior specifications, it’s likely that these mini PCs, despite their modest hardware, can qualify for a CoPilot Plus specification that includes a NPU capable of processing over 45 trillion operations per second via a virtual machine.
